Two out of the three daily flights from Manila to Bali arrive late into the night.When arriving on these flights, it doesn’t make practical sense to go for a resort that is located far from the airport and does cost a lot to sleep in. Well, luckily, a new affordable option near the airport opened up recently, Holiday Inn Express Baruna Bali. I just stayed there, and like all my experiences with hotels of the same brand, I was more than satisfied.
In light traffic, Holiday Inn Express Baruna Bali is only 10 minutes away from the airport. It’s near the famous Segara Beach, as well as a handful of local restaurants and shops. And for those who wish to go elsewhere, a car or motorcycle hired through apps like Grab and Go-Jek can take guests to places nearby like Kuta, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua.
By the way, the hotel is beside its sister, Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali, which has direct beach access. I was told that many guests stay in the Holiday Inn Express for a couple of nights while doing all the tours then transfer to the Holiday Inn Resort when they already intend to stay in.
I got in from the airport after a quick car ride, and I was welcomed into the lively lobby, which looked unusually large for a supposedly modest Holiday Inn Express—and I mean this in a good way. The friendly staff swiftly handed my keys, and I was off to my room.
The hotel offers only standard rooms, and these come in either one queen or two single bed configurations. Since I was alone, I went for the one-bed option. As expected, it was clean, bright, and modern, and it was similar to a room at a Holiday Inn in terms of look and feel, only perhaps a little less spacious.
In terms of features and amenities, it was pretty complete—it had a comfortable queen bed with quality linens and a choice of soft and firm pillows, a hip lounge chair, a desk that doubled as a dresser, an LED TV, a minibar, coffee and tea making facility, closet space, an electronic safe, adequate universal power points, and of course, free wireless internet. The clean bathroom had a powerful shower, nice quality towels, and some basic toiletries.
Included with our stay was daily Express Start Breakfast at The Great Room. Admittedly, the selection at the buffet wasn’t much, but it was adequately filling and good nonetheless. I was also happy that there was a Grab and Go option for those who have to be out early for their tours.
Although it’s marketed as an affordable hotel, Holiday Inn Express Baruna Bali isn’t short on facilities. For one, it has a nice rooftop swimming pool—and being in a resort destination, it’s one of the few Holiday Inn Express properties in the world that does. It also offers fitness and self-service laundry facilities.
WHY STAY THERE
- Rates are really affordable for a Holiday Inn Express property.
- Rooms are appointed adequately and nicely designed.
- Location near the airport is also perfect as a base for touring around Bali.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS BARUNA BALI
Jalan Wana Segara, Tuban, Bali, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 361 755 585
Email: holidayinnexpressbaruna@ihg.com
Website: www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/bali/dpsbi/hoteldetail
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
